Speed Square For Roof Pitch

You can use a speed square to find roof pitches guide your circular saw and more including marking any angle from 0 to 90 degrees.

Speed square for roof pitch.

Speed squares aren t just for marking 90 and 45 degree angles when you re cutting 2x4s. A speed square and level can be used to easily find the pitch of a roof. Set the level on the edge of the speed square as shown below then place the heel of the speed square on a rafter or gable edge of the roof. By the diy experts of the family handyman magazine.

As stated in the video speed squares have useful markings on them from 0 to 12. A speed square will have two specialty protractor angle guides on the inside of the tool which has both common rafter angles and hip valley angles marked out. Constructing a new shed roof at the desired pitch is as easy as knowing how to use a speed square. The triangle shaped square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson to provide a quick accurate method for marking rafters.

Swanson was a carpenter in a small town outside of chicago. The 90 degree right angle leading out from the pivot and the lip makes quickly and. Using a speed square as a try square. Therefore if your roof rises 4 inches over the course of 12 inches of horizontal run then your roof pitch is 4 12.

You can also use a speed square to find level if you re on the job without a spirit level. The speed square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson. After he created the speed square other carpenters began asking him for one and the swanson tool company was born. He wanted to create a device to make it easier to quickly determine roof pitches.

The swanson speed square is a popular tool with most carpenters. You might also like. Invest in a larger speed square and you could even use it for longer cuts.